An eruption like this would see over 40 cubic kilometres of magma released in one burst, causing enormous damage.

Kobe University researchers have carried out three survey voyages to the Kikai Caldera since 2015.

In March, researchers plan to use seismic reflection and underwater robots to “clarify the formation process of the two-layer caldera” and the mechanism that causes a “giant caldera eruption.”

The paper from Kobe University said: “Supereruptions leading to the huge caldera collapse are rare by extremely hazardous events, and also have severe global impacts such as ‘volcanic winter.’

“Many of these super volcanoes repeat super eruptions in their multi-million year histories. Although the volcanic activity is relatively quiet during the intervening periods between super eruptions, the post-caldera activity should provide a key to understanding the evolution of magma-plumbing system in the whole caldera cycle.”

The lava dome is in a caldera – which is a cauldron-like depression that forms following the collapse of a volcano into itself, forming a crater.

The dome rises to 600 metres (1,968.5 feet) above the seabed and is now only 30.5 metres (10 feet) beneath the surface.

The Smithsonian Institution said the volcano last experienced seismic activity between January 2013 and July 2014, which included one eruption with intermittent explosions, occasional ash and steam plumes sporadic weak seismic tremor.